Game apparatus.



No. 852,904. PATENTED MAY 7, 1907.

- H. E. REED.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 0019, 1900.

@QMA 2 PATENTED MAY '7, 1907.

H. E. REED.

GAME APPARATUS APPLIUATION FILED 001.9, 1906.

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GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1907.

A li ation fil d October 9, 1906. Serial No. 338,134.

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY E. REED, of Salem, in the county of Essex and State of l by hinges-18 with the upper end of the game .\lassachusetts, have invented certain new 17 represents a cover constructed as asignal board and which is preferably connected board 12, and is provided with a series of and useful Improvements in Game Appa signals corresponding in number with the ratus, of which the following is'a speeiiication.

This invention relates to the type of game apparatus in which an inclined board is employed and loose balls adapted to roll down pockets in the game board, said signals being preferably incandescent lamps 19. Said cover 17 is supported in its vertical position by any suitable means, such for instance as the brace 17, Each signal is included in a the incline of the board, the pockets being 1 normally open electric circuit, which includes adapted to arrest such balls as happen to coincide with the pockets in their course down the board.v

The invention has for its object to provide i means whereby the entrance of a ball into any pocket of the board will operate a signal which corresponds to the pocket, and adds to the attractiveness of the game.

The invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

()f the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specificationFigure 1 represents a side elevation of a game apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the signal board or frame shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a top plan view of the game board shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section illustrating the contacts at the lower end of the board. Fig. 5 represents asecti on on line 55 of Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 represent diagrams of the electrical connection.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings 12 represents a board, which when in use is supported in an inclined position by any suitable means, such as those shown in Fig. 1. The board is provided with suitable pockets adapted to engage and retain balls rolling loosely down the board. I have shown two series of pockets, the pockets of one series being circular openings 13 formed in the board, and having inclined or tapered sides 13. The pockets of the other series are recesses or stalls 14, having converging sides 14 preferably formed by attaching a serrated block or strip 15 to the lower portionof the board. The board may also be provided with pins 16, projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the board, and adapted to deflect balls rolling down the board, and cause the balls to take a zizgag terminals located in such relation to the ballengaging pockets that when a ball of a conducting material, such as iron or steel, enters one of said pockets, it will close an electric circuit, and thus operate the corresponding signal. In Fig. 6 I show a diagram .of the connections between some of the lamps 19 and circuit terminals 20 located in the pockets 14. In Fig. 7 I show a diagram of the connections between other lamps 19and circuit terminals 21 located in the pockets 13. In ,each case the arrangement is such that when a circuit-closing ballenterseither of Y the pockets, a circuit is closed through the corresponding lamp 19, which is illuminated,

and thus calls attention to the success which has attended the efforts of the player sending the ball. The removal of the ball from the pocket, breaks the circuit, and the lamp is I extinguished.

The portions of the oi cuit wires which pass from the game boar 12 to the signal card 17, are grouped together in flexible cables 22, which are ada ted to conform to the position of the signa board so that the latter may be closed down upon the game board when the apparatus is not in use without effecting the electrical connections. Hooks23 ma be affixed to the signal board adjacent to t e lamps 19, said hooks being used to support prizes which are awarded to the successful players.

The balls may be projected by the player through the instrumentality of a springpressed plunger or piston 24, movable in a narrow way or passage 25, near one edge of the game board, the piston being retracted by means of a handle 26 connected with it, and then released allowing the 5 ring to project the piston, and with it a bal placed in the passage 25 in front of the iston. 1s provided with a curve deflecting wall 27, which turns the projected ball backwardly to ward the lower end of the board.

While I have specified an electric signal, I

'ITO

do not desire to be understood as limiting myself thereto, although a signal operated by the closing of an electric circuit when a ball enters a pocket, is superior to any other type of signal of which Yam aware. It is obvious that a mechanical signal operated by the weight or impact of the ball as it enters a pocket, may be employed without departing irom the spirit of my invention.

I claim: I

1.. A game'apparatus comprising a game board provided with pockets, a cover hinged to said board and provided with signals corresponding to .said pockets, contacts in said pockets, and conductors extending from said contacts to said signals.

2. A game apparatus comprising a game board provided with pockets, a cover hinged to said board and provided with signals correspondingto'said pockets, spaced apart contacts located in said pockets, conductors OX' tending from said contacts, tosaid signals, and circuit closing balls of conducting material adapted to enter said pockets and bridge said contacts.

3. A game apparatus com rising a game board provided with pockets aving tapered sides, spaced apart contacts engaging the sides of said pockets, a cover hinged to said board and provided with signals corresponding to said pockets, conductors extending from said contacts to said signals, and circuit closing balls ofconducting material adapted to enter said pockets and bridge said contacts.

4. A game apparatus comprising a game board provided with pockets, a cover hinged thereto and provided With signals corresponding to said pockets, contacts in said pockets, conductors extending from said contacts to said signals, and means for supportingsaid cover in an approximately vertical position.

5. A game apparatus comprising a game board provided with pockets, s aced apart contacts accompanying said poc ets, signals corresponding to said pockets, conductors extending from said signals to said contacts, and circuit closing balls of conducting material adapted to enter said pockets and bridge forming part of the circuit. 1 t

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

said contacts, each ball, when in a pocket,

. HARRY E. REED. i

Witnesses:

SAMUEL A. YORK, SAMUEL E. HoYr. 

